Statistics show truck accidents on the rise

On behalf of The Goldberg Law Firm Co., LPA posted in truck accidents on Friday, May 25, 2018.

Ohio drivers are typically not thinking about accident statistics and potential dangers they might face when they grab their keys and head out on the road. However, they should take some time to be aware of the dangers they may face. In particular, they should be cautious around large trucks and buses. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently released data related to truck crashes and the results show a worrisome increase in recent years.

The FMCSA recently published a study of traffic accident data from 2016, the most recent year for which statistics were available. The study shows the number of fatal accidents involving large trucks rose by 3 percent that year compared to the year before. Statistics for 2015 to 2016 showed a 3 percent increase.

These increases are especially disturbing because they appear to continue a trend toward more accidents. Even worse, this trend is getting close to erasing the gains made by an earlier trend that had been showing safer roadways. From 2005 to 2009, FMCA statistics showed a 34 percent decrease in fatal accidents involving trucks or buses, but statistics from 2009 to 2016, there was a 28 percent increase.

The raw numbers show that there was a reduction of more than 40,000 fatal accidents when comparing 2002 with 2009. In 2015, the number of fatal accidents had risen to 97,000. There were also approximately 119,000 crashes with injuries in 2016.

These numbers should worry anyone on the road. Since a truck accident can result in injuries with massive medical expenses and other costs or even result in death, those who were harmed or their families should understand their right to seek compensation with assistance from a legal professional experienced in truck accidents.

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